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Why smartphone makers stopped using removable batteries, and why they're making a comeback - Engadget

The ability to replace my phone's battery? Yes, please. There was a time when replacing a phone's battery was as easy as popping the back cover off and lifting the battery from its slot with your fingernail. While you can still find a few devices with easily replaceable batteries these days, the design isn't anywhere near mainstream anymore. They're pretty much obsolete, and there are many reasons why they are, which we'll get to later. But a soon-to-be-implemented European Union regulation could bring some form of them back in the near future. One model you can still get in 2026 is the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro, a military-grade rugged phone with an easily swappable 4,350mAh battery. It was built for tough environments, and the idea is that you can replace its battery if you lose power while hiking or mountain climbing. Another model you can get today with an easily replaceable battery is the Fairphone 6. It's built a bit differently than the earlier models in the series, which come with back covers you can easily take off. It uses components that make it slimmer, but that also means its battery is held in place with five screws. The battery is still pretty easy to replace, but

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Aug 27, 2026
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Aug 6, 2026 → Aug 27, 2026

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Aug 27, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet report
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE looks like a perfectly cromulent budget flagship - Engadget

It’s basically a more affordable version of the S26+ with slightly reduced specs. Samsung's FE series phones have always straddled the line between midrange and flagship, slotting in above the company's more affordable A-series phones but…

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August 2026

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Aug 27, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE looks like a perfectly cromulent budget flagship - Engadget

It’s basically a more affordable version of the S26+ with slightly reduced specs. Samsung's FE series phones have always straddled the line between midrange and flagship, slotting in above the company's more affordable…

Read original at Engadget →
Aug 27, 2026·CNETT2 · Outlet report
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE Has Flagship Features, but It’s Harder to Call It a Bargain - CNET

Samsung's best software features from 2026 are coming to the lower-cost S26 FE -- but at $700, it's certainly not cheap. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE may be the company’s lower-cost flagship, but the phone’s getting nearly…

Read original at CNET →
Aug 27, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet report
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2026: Live updates from the launch of the next S26 - Engadget

We’re expecting to see the Galaxy S26 FE. Samsung is hosting another Unpacked today, and the company says the fanfare is for the "newest addition to the S26 family." Given we've already seen a trio of Galaxy S26…

Read original at Engadget →
Aug 24, 2026·GizmodoT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Android Phone Drops to Nearly Earbud Money on Amazon, Way Less Than Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy

This article features deals sourced directly by Gizmodo and produced independently of the editorial team. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on the site. Our phones are usually the first thing we turn…

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Aug 13, 2026·The VergeT2 · Outlet report
The sub-$100 phone market is disappearing.

RAM price hikes: the latest on the global memory shortage Sales dropped 64% year-on-year in Q2, according to research from Counterpoint, as manufacturers raised prices or simply stopped shipping cheaper models. Samsung…

Read original at The Verge →
Aug 12, 2026·ZDNetT2 · Outlet report
Google Pixel 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: I compared the latest flagships - here's my take - ZDNET

Why you can trust ZDNET: ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The Pixel 11 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8…

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Aug 12, 2026·ZDNetT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S26: I tested both flagships, but only keeping one - ZDNET

Why you can trust ZDNET: ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. How does Google's new Pixel 11 Pro…

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Aug 12, 2026·ZDNetT2 · Outlet report
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: I compared both - this one pulls ahead - ZDNET

Why you can trust ZDNET: ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Both models are large and boast the…

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Aug 12, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet report
Everything Google announced this week: Pixel Tag, Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 - Engadget

Google unveiled a long-awaited, Pixel-branded Bluetooth tracker alongside its latest phones and smartwatch. It's that time of year once again, folks. The biggest players in the smartphone space are unveiling their…

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Aug 12, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Pixel 11 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Comparing their cameras, display, battery and specs - Engadget

Google's most powerful flagships take aim at Samsung's crown. Google announced its brand-new Pixel 11 smartphones today, kicking off the autumn tech season as we head toward the launch of the iPhone 18 lineup in…

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Aug 11, 2026·MashableT2 · Outlet report
Galaxy S26 FE specs leaked: What they are, how much it might cost

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE appears set to launch in early September, and a new report from WinFuture, citing a data sheet for the device, lays out a near-complete specification list for the "Fan Edition" handset. According…

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Aug 10, 2026·GizmodoT2 · Outlet report
Forget Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, S26+ Costs Hundreds Less at Its Lowest Price Yet on Amazon

This article features deals sourced directly by Gizmodo and produced independently of the editorial team. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on the site. Samsung makes some of the nicest, fanciest, and…

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Aug 6, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Why smartphone makers stopped using removable batteries, and why they're making a comeback - Engadget

The ability to replace my phone's battery? Yes, please. There was a time when replacing a phone's battery was as easy as popping the back cover off and lifting the battery from its slot with your fingernail. While you…

Read original at Engadget →

Sources & evidence (13)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 13
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Engadget 5ZDNet 3Gizmodo 2Mashable 1The Verge 1CNET 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportEngadgetAug 27, 2026

It’s basically a more affordable version of the S26+ with slightly reduced specs. Samsung's FE series phones have always straddled the line between midrange and flagship, slotting in above the company's more affordable A-series phones but…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportCNETAug 27, 2026

Samsung's best software features from 2026 are coming to the lower-cost S26 FE -- but at $700, it's certainly not cheap. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE may be the company’s lower-cost flagship, but the phone’s getting

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportEngadgetAug 27, 2026

We’re expecting to see the Galaxy S26 FE. Samsung is hosting another Unpacked today, and the company says the fanfare is for the "newest addition to the S26 family." Given we've already seen a trio of Galaxy S26 flagships earlier this…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportGizmodoAug 24, 2026

This article features deals sourced directly by Gizmodo and produced independently of the editorial team. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on the site. Our phones are usually the first thing we turn to after waking up…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe VergeAug 13, 2026

RAM price hikes: the latest on the global memory shortage Sales dropped 64% year-on-year in Q2, according to research from Counterpoint, as manufacturers raised prices or simply stopped shipping cheaper models. Samsung and Motorola have…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportZDNetAug 12, 2026

Why you can trust ZDNET: ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Both models are large and boast the best from each…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

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